Manchester United hire ex-Tottenham scout to talent spot under-21 market for first team

Manchester United have hired Ian Broomfield as a casual scout covering the under-21 market.

Broomfield, who gained an excellent reputation for spotting talent after more than 30 years doing so, has been brought in to help United target players emerging at first-team level.

Ayden Heaven, who joined United from Arsenal aged 18 for £1.5million in February 2025, is an example of the type of player Broomfield would be expected to recruit.

Broomfield, 75, was most recently employed by Tottenham Hotspur as head of scouting, before losing his job in a reshuffle towards data in 2024. He was previously chief scout under Harry Redknapp. His extensive career in the game has also seen him lead recruitment at Leeds United and Aston Villa, under David O’Leary.

He started as a schoolboy at Bristol City and trained with an England youth squad before an Achilles injury impacted his progress. He went on to join the police force as a detective, before he returned to football in scouting at Southampton.

Broomfield attended United’s under-21 loss to Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on Monday night.

Broomfield’s hire follows Connor Hunter being promoted to head of academy recruitment. Hunter had moved to United from Everton in 2013 and worked a variety of age-group scouting roles before being given his current role in January.

United needed to replace Luke Fedorenko who left to join agency Unique Sports Group.

United had been close to finalising a move for Paul Midgley from Newcastle United, but he ended up remaining at St James’ Park.

Jack Chapman, Tottenham’s head of academy recruitment, was also strongly considered but he decided to stay in north London.

United have been reshaping their academy since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment, with Jason Wilcox as director of football providing oversight.

Wilcox was aware of Midgley and Chapman having worked with both previously, at Manchester City and Southampton respectively.